YOU Docs: Talking about flu immunity and mustard

A: If you've already had H1N1, you have protection, but only if you're exposed to the same strain of the virus that laid you low. Once your immune system encounters a bug, it creates memory cells that rapidly produce antibodies to fight a second attack of the same bug. That's called acquired immunity, and it's the same process that occurs when you get a flu shot that contains a killed version of the virus.

That sounds great, but the unfortunate fact is that flu viruses mutate all the time, so the next time you encounter H1N1, it might be slightly different and your immune system might not recognize it. But a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that you still might have partial immunity, so a bout with the new, "improved" H1N1 might not be as severe as your first.

Q: Is there a special type of mustard you use to get the health benefits of turmeric? Is there a way of getting turmeric without eating mustard?

A: We love the yellow stuff they serve with ballpark hot dogs (but without the dogs). A daily teaspoon of mustard that contains the spice (about 17 milligrams is what you want, and there just so happens to be that much in a teaspoon) helps clear out brain cell waste that may play a role in Alzheimer's disease. A little dab also may slash your risk of arthritis and colon cancer, and maybe even help you slim down. But there are many ways to get some turmeric into your life without stuffing your pockets with packets. This is a spice that hasn't met a vegetable it didn't like. A staple of Indian curries, it adds an exotic flavor to a veggie combo like cauliflower, onion, squash and peppers. Mix it with some light mayo, minced onion, a little horseradish and some vinegar for a delicious veggie dip.

Q: When my daughter drinks alcohol, she breaks out in blotchy rashes, hot to the touch, usually on her chest, face and arms. This does not happen with anything other than alcohol. Do you know why?

A: Alcohol may "maketh glad the heart," but sometimes it maketh red the skin, particularly if you have a genetic (inherited) trait that makes it tough for your body to break down alcohol. It's so common in people of Asian descent that it's often referred to as the "Asian flush," although it occurs in other ethnicities. The rash, which can feel warm, is sometimes accompanied by heart palpitations, headache, stomachache or a drop in blood pressure.

If this is your daughter's problem, it's not simply a cosmetic issue: Recent studies have linked genetic alcohol flushing to an increased risk of esophageal cancer. Although anecdotal evidence suggests that an antacid may help, teetotalling, or at least cutting back, might be the most prudent solution. If it's not her genes, it may be an allergic response to other substances in beer, wine and hard liquor. Sulfites, used as a preservative in wine, have been known to cause flushing; the grains in beer and liquor can cause symptoms, too.

The YOU Docs, Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen, are authors of "YOU: Having a Baby." Want more? See "The Dr. Oz Show" on TV (weekdays at 3 p.m., KATU/2). To submit questions, go to www.RealAge.com.